Sept. 18, 2015

COLUMBIA, SC ââ’¬” South Carolina women’s golf team wrapped up day one of the Mason Rudolph Championship Friday afternoon posting a 302 (+14) at Vanderbilt Legends Club, to finish the day in 16th place.

“The first round is under our belt, and I think we got some of our jitters out,” said head coach Kalen Anderson. “Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get any birdies going, but we will have a resilient group and look forward to tomorrow.

Alabama leads the field after posting a 282 (-6) on Friday. Only five teams finished under-par for the round. Virginia’s Lauren Coughlin holds the individual lead turning in a six-under 66.

Junior Katelyn Dambaugh led the Gamecocks, firing a two-over 74 on the day, placing her in a tie for 37th overall. The preseason All-America Third-Team selection played a steady opening round with a +1 on both the front and back nine.

Junior Jia Xin Yang came out of the gates well scoring two birdies in her first three holes. She would end up leading the team with four birdies on the day to post a 75 (+3). Senior Sarah Schmelzel also shot a 75 (+3) in her 2015-16 debut.

Sophomore Ainhoa Olarra rebounded nicely from a rough front nine to shoot +2 after the turn and finish with an 80 (+8). Freshman Isi Nilsson found her stroke through the turn as well, making a birdie at No. 11 that brought her to +2 before turning in a 78 (+6).

Play resumes tomorrow when Carolina will look to jump up the standings after playing its first round at the Mason Rudolph Championship since 2009-10.